U.S. Government Declares Emergency for Eastern Seaboard
States issue additional hours of service waivers in preparation for Hurricane Florence.
Sep 12, 2018
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – As Hurricane Florence approaches the East Coast, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has issued an emergency declaration covering Delaware, the District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia.
The declaration waives, among other things, hours of service requirements for “motor carriers and drivers providing direct assistance to the emergency in the Affected States and jurisdictions in direct support of relief efforts related to Hurricane Florence.” The declaration will last for 30 days, until October 10.
FMCSA also said it would not enforce certain fees related to Temporary Operating Authority Registration. This notice of enforcement discretion determination will also last 30 days, until October 10.
On September 10, the governor of North Carolina issued an executive order waiving state requirements for “gasoline truck tank and vapor system requirements.” The governor says this will help out-of-state haulers move fuel into the state quickly and efficiently. During this time, however, gasoline haulers must follow the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Method 27 regarding determining vapor tightness of delivery tanks.
Florida has eased weighing requirements due to Hurricane Florence. On September 10, the state Department of Transportation put out a memo intended to ease travel restrictions for vehicles assisting with the hurricane response. The memo allows supply trucks (including fuel trucks) to bypass weigh stations from now until September 17; however, bypassing is only allowed for supply trucks traveling in convoy. Additionally, restrictions on size and weight will continue to be enforced.
North Carolina issued its declaration on September 7, and South Carolina issued its declaration on September 8. Both emergency declarations are in effect for 30 days:
The Virginia Department of Emergency Management is preparing for what could be a significant hurricane event depending on what path the storm takes. The state of emergency declaration is designed to mobilize resources in preparations of the storm and to help Virginia mitigate any damage and to streamline the process that the Commonwealth uses to aid other states vulnerable to Florence. The declaration includes an hours of service waiver, which will be in effect for up to 30 days. Other parts of the declaration, however, may be in effect until December 31, unless amended or rescinded.
On September 10, Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan declared a state of emergency ahead of Hurricane Florence’s arrival on the Eastern seaboard. The declaration triggers an hours of service waiver for drivers providing assistance to the affected areas. Although Delaware Gov. John Carney has not issued a state of emergency, he issued a statement noting that the Delaware Emergency Management Agency is monitoring the approach of Hurricane Florence, as well as Hurricane Isaac farther out in the Atlantic. “We are communicating and coordinating with Delaware state agencies, local partners, FEMA official and authorities in surrounding states,” he said.
States of emergency are still in effect for Tropical Storm Gordon: The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration issued a regional emergency declaration—including an hours of service waiver—in response to the storm. The declaration is in effect in until October 4, in the states of Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma and Texas.
NACS has resources relating to disaster preparedness and recovery at the Fuels Resource Center, such as:
- How Disasters Affect Fuel Prices: Higher prices at the pump often lead the public to assume a retailer is price-gouging.
- How Refineries and Pipelines Resume Operations: In the wake of an emergency or natural disaster, resuming operations at a refinery and pushing product through the pipeline is complex.
- What UST Owners Can Do After a Flood: EPA resources cite best practices for helping underground storage tank owners and operators safely bring UST systems back into service.
- When Mother Nature Strikes: Convenience stores do much more than sell daily essentials and an estimated 80% of the fuels purchased in the United States—they also play a critical role before and after a natural disaster such as a hurricane strikes.
September is National Preparedness Month, and NACS has many resources to assist retailers in disaster preparedness, relief and recovery.
NACS has partnered with the American Red Cross to advance community giving programs for NACS member companies, including donating to Red Cross relief efforts.
Crisis management
